Wall structure having inwardly arched panels



June 11, 1968 M. c. MCFARLANE 3,387,415

WALL STRUCTURE HAVING INWARDLY ARCHED PANELS 2 Sheets-Shee l Filed April29, 1965 NVENTOR.

MURRAY C. MCFARLANE FIG./ BY /Q/M7 M June 11,1968 M. C. MCFARLANE3,387,415

WALL STRUCTURE HAVING INWARDLY ARCHED PANELS Filed April 29, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet t3 jV/////////////////////////////////////////l///////////////l//////////////////)MNW- FIG. 2

I NVENTOR. MURRAY C. MCFARLANE United States Patent O 3,387,415 WALLSTRUCTURE HAVING INWARDLY ARCI-IED PANELS Murray C. McFarlane,Burlington, Ontario, Canada, as-

signor to H. H. Robertson Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Filed Apr. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 451,867 Claims priority,application Canada, May 1, 1964,

s claims. (ci. .s2- 222) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This inventionrelates to a wall construction particularly adapted for an externalsheathing of buildings and which employs normally flat rectangularinfill sheets which are bowed inwardly between their opposed verticalsides. More particularly the present invention relates to improvementsin the vertical support elements which confine said infill sheets.

The advent of this type of wall construction has made it possible toemploy relatively valuable sheathing materials as infill sheets, in abuilding outer wall. These relatively valuable sheathing materials maycomprise, for example, stainless steel, aluminum plastic sheets such asglass fiber reinforced polyesters and the like. This type of wallconstruction is particularly desirable in that these relatively valuablesheathing materials are employed in such a manner that there is amaximum exposure of the relatively valuable sheathing materials. Thistype of wall construction has also made it possible to employ sheathingmaterials known as protected metals which heretofore have had restricteduse because of the tendency of their relatively exposed edge surfaces todeteriorate. These protected metals include a sheet of carbon steel orother metal covered with a weather resistant coating of plastic, plasticfilms, asphalt asbestos, and the like. These infill sheets normally arerelatively thin gauge sheets having a thickness ranging from aboutl6-gauge to about 2li-gauge.

One problem arising from the use of these rectangular sheets as infillsheets is their tendency to buckle under the application of a wind load.In buckling, a plurality of cusps are formed which extend inwardly fromthe vertical side edge of the infill sheets. Should the elastic limit ofthe infill sheet be exceeded, these cusps will remain to detract greatlyfrom the appearance of the wall.

According to the present invention, a wall construction is provided,comprising a plurality of horizontal subgirts secured to a buildingframework. Normally, an inexpensive sheet metal lining is provided whichis interposed between the horizontal subgirts and the buildingframework. Secured to the horizontal subgirts is a plurality of spacedvertical support elements fabricated from relatively inexpensiveconstruction materials such as steel or sheets of protected metals. Thevertical supports are formed by rolling or pressing strips of theselected construction materials. Each of the vertical support elementshas a pair of opposed longitudinal grooves each adapted P ICC to receivea vertical side edge of an infill sheet. The infill sheets comprisenormally fiat, rectangular, relatively thin gauge sheets which range inthickness from labout 16- gauge to about 24-gauge. Each infill sheet issnapped between an adjacent pair of the vertical support elements and isbowed inwardly between its opposed vertical sides.

Each of the vertical support elements is provided with a plurality ofclip members secured at spaced points along its length. Each clip memberhas two flange members which are disposed closely adjacent to theadjacent vertical sides of the adjacent infill sheets. The flangemembers are positioned for substantially immediate engagement by thevertical sides during outward movement of the vertical sides relative tothe vertical support element. Each clip member is further provided withtwo resilient, outwardly extending terminal portions which arecontiguous with the flange members and which cooperate to support a trimcap member provided for each of the vertical support elements. Theterminal portions also serve to resiliently urge opposed leg members ofthe trim cap member toward the adjacent sides of adjacent infill sheets.Preferably, a strip of sealant material is interposed between each legmember and the vertical side and is compressed therebetween.

In the present wall construction, the clip members perform three primaryfunctions. That is, the clip members:

(l) Restrain the vertical sides of each infill sheet from excessiveoutward movement relative to the vertical support elements;

(2) Provide the sole support for each of the trim cap members; and

(3) Resiliently urges the trim cap member toward the adjacent verticalsides of adjacent infill sheets to compress the sealant stripsinterposed therebetween thereby insuring an effective seal andpreventing the formation of cusps in those regions of the vertical sidesbetween adjacent clip members.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide awall construction having improved vertical support elements betweenwhich are installed rectangular infill sheets and which prevent theformation of cusps in said infill sheets.

Another object of this invention is to provide an external wallconstruction which may be quickly assembled by workmen operatingentirely outside of the building structure.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a wallconstruction assembled in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line II-II of FGURE1, illustrating an improved vertical support element of the presentinvention; and

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of a clip member employed in the presentwall construction.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, the wall construction of the presentinvention will be described. As shown, the present wall constructioncomprises a plurality of substantially flat, inner sheathing sheets 10'secured in outboard relation to the structural framework 12 of abuilding. The structural framework normally comprises a plurality ofhorizontal girt members 14 extending between vertical columns 16. Aplurality of horizontal subgirts which in this instance comprisehorizontal Z-bars 18 are secured to the girt members 14 in outboardrelation to the inner sheathing 10. A plurality of Vertical supports 2liare secured to the outboard flange of the Z- bars 18. Insulation batts22 are positioned over the outer surface of the inner sheathing sheets1t). The insulation batts 22 may comprise glass wool, rock wool, foamedplastic substances and the like and preferably are precut to extend overthe entire width of each individual sheathing sheet between adjacentZ-bars 18.

A plurality of normally fiat infill sheets 24 are provided, each of thesheets 24 being fitted between adjacent vertical supports 20. It will beobserved that the infill sheets 24 are inwardly bowed. Each verticalsupport 20 is provided with a plurality of clip members 26 which serve,inter alia, to support a trim cap member 28.

As shown, the inner sheathing sheets 10 and certain of the Z-bars 18 aresecured to the girt member 14 by means of suitable sheet metal screws30. Preferably, the inner sheathing sheets 10 are provided with a femalelip 32 along one vertical side and a male lip 34 along the othervertical side to facilitate their assembly on the structural framework12 and provide a vapor-seal caulking seam. Suitable notches 36 are cutinto the Z-bars 18 to accommodate the female and male lips 32, 34.

The vertical supports Ztl each have a generally U- shaped configurationincluding generally parallel leg members 40 which terminate in outwardopposed flanges 42 secured to the Z-bars 18 preferably by means ofsuitable screws 44. Preferably, a strip 46 of insulating material (cork,rubber, plastic and the like) is interposed between the Z-bars 18 andflanges 42 to serve as a thermal barrier. Each of the leg members 40 hasa lengthwise groove 48 defined by inwardly and outwardly directed legportions 50, 52 and adapted to receive a vertical side S4 of an infillsheet 24. A web 56 connects the outwardly directed leg portions 52 attheir outboard ends and defines a vertical face to which the clipmembers 26 are secured preferably by means of screws 58.

Reference is now directed to FIGURE 3 wherein the preferredconfiguration of the clip members 26 is illustrated. As shown, each clipmember 26 has a generally U-shaped central portion 60 including a web 62and a pair of substantially parallel legs 64. Each of the legs 64terminates in a laterally outwardly extending flange member 66, theflange members 66 extending in opposite directions. Each of the flangemembers 66, in turn, has contiguous therewith a resilient terminalportion 68 extending substantially perpendicularly from the flangemembers 66. In the end of each of the terminal portions 68 there isformed a laterally projecting bead 70. Preferably, an aperture 72 isprovided in the web 62 of the central portion 60 for accommodating thescrew 58 (FIGURE 2).

The clip members 26 preferably are formed from spring steel.Accordingly, the terminal portions 68 are resilient and may be displacedinwardly toward the Central portion 66 during the installation of thetrim cap member 2S, as will be described. Further, the resiliency of theterminal portions 68 also serves to resiliently urge the trim cap member28 toward the vertical sides 54 (FIGURE 2), as will be described.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, the trim cap member 28 has an arcuate outerportion 74 terminating at each of its side edges in a laterally inwardlyextending flange member 76 having a lateral inner surface 78 to which issecured a strip of sealant material 80. Each of the inwardly extendingflange members preferably terminate in an enlarged bead 82 which isengaged with the terminal portion 68 and the inner end of the bead 70 ofthe clip member 26. The trim cap member 28 may be formed, for example,by extrusion of aluminum, plastics or other suitable material.

After two or more adjacent vertical supports have been erected on thestructural framework 12, the installation of the infill sheets 24 maycommence. Each of the individual infill sheets 24 is a rectangular sheetof construction material such as stainless steel, aluminum, plastic,protected metal and the like. One of the vertical sides 54 of the infillsheet 24 is inserted into the groove 48 of one of the vertical supports28 as shown by the arrow A in FIGURE 1. The infill sheet 24 then isinwardly bowed by manual pressure until the other vertical side 54 snapsinto position into the groove 48 of the adjacent vertical support 20 asindicated by the arrow -B in FIGURE 1. The natural bow `or arching ofthe normally fiat infill sheet 24 provides a laterally outward force forsecuring the infill sheet 24 in the wall construction.

After the installation of two or more of the infill sheets 24 betweenadjacent pairs of the vertical supports 20, the clip members 26 may beapplied. A plurality of the clip members 26 is secured to each of thevertical supports 20 at spa-ced points, normally about two feetcenter-tocenter, along the length of the vertical support 20. As canbest be seen in FIGURE 2, the central portion 60 of the clip member 26is engaged over the web 56 of the support member 20 in a saddle-likemanner and is secured thereto by the screw 58.

For the purpose of illustration, one of the laterally outwardlyextending flange members, indicated by 66A, is shown engaged with thevertical side 54 of one of the adjacent infill sheets 24, and the otherlaterally outwardly extending flange member, indicated by 66B, is shownspaced from the vertical side 54 of the other of the adjacent infillsheets 24. The important fact to note is that the fiange members 66either may be engaged over or slightly spaced from the vertical sides 54of the infill sheets 24. Hence, each of the flange members 66 preferablyis positioned for substantially immediate engagement by the verticalside 54 during outward movement of the vertical side 54 relative to thevertical support 20. This outward movement of the vertical side 5,4 maybe caused by the wind loads applied to the exposed surface of the infillsheets 24 as described above. Thus, the flange members 66 are positionedto restrain the vertical sides S4 of the infill sheets 24 from excessiveoutward movement.

Referring still to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the strips of sealantmaterial are compressed between the laterally inwardly extending flangemembers 76 and the Vertical sides S4 of the adjacent infill sheets 24.Actually, the resilient terminal portions 68 and the laterally outwardlyprojecting beads 70 serve to resilient urge the flange members 76 of thetrim cap member 28 in two directions, i.e., laterally of and inwardlytoward the vertical support 20. Through this action, the strips ofsealant material y80 are compressed and prevent the formation of theabove-described cusps by maintaining the vertical sides 54 of the infillsheets 24 engaged over the inwardly directed leg portion 50 of thevertical support 20 substantially throughout the entire length of thevertical sides 54.

Although the present invention has been shown in connection with onespecific embodiment, it will be readily .apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and arrangement Iof parts may bemade to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A wall panel structure for a building comprising a plurality ofspaced vertical supports each having two vertical lengthwise opposededge receiving grooves; means for securing each of said verticalsupports to a building framework in outboard relation therewith; aplurality of normally fiat facing sheets each engaged along opposedvertical sides thereof in adjacent grooves of adjacent ones of saidvertical supports and being bowed inwardly between its said opposedvertical sides; a plurality of clip members secured at spaced locationsalong the length of each of said vertical supports; each of said clipmembers having fiange members positioned for substantially immediateengagement by one of said opposed vertical sides during outward movementof said vertical side relative to said vertical support, whereby saidvertical sides are restrained from excessive outward movement; aplurality of trim caps substantially coextensive in length with saidvertical supports, each trim cap being disposed in covering relationwith one of said vertical supports; and resilient means carried by eachof said clip members for supporting said trim caps, said resilient meanscomprising the sole support for each of said trim caps.

2. A wall panel structure for a building comprising a plurality ofspaced vertical supports each having two vertical lengthwise fopposededge receiving grooves; means for securing each of said verticalsupports to a building framework in outboard relation therewith; aplurality of normally at facing sheets each engaged along opposedvertical sides thereof in adjacent grooves of adjacent ones of saidvertical supports and being bowed inwardly between its said opposedvertical sides; a plurality of clip members secured at spaced locationsalong the length of each of said vertical supports; each of `said clipmembers having flange members positioned for substantially immediateengagement by one of said opposed vertical sides during outward movementof said vertical side relative to said vertical support, whereby saidvertical sides are restrained from excessive outward movement; each ofsaid ilange members having an outwardly extending terminal portion; anda plurality of trim caps substantially coextensive in length With saidvertical supports and disposed in covering relation therewith; each ofsaid trim caps being snapped over and supported solely by means of theoutwardly extending terminal portions of each of said clip members.

3. A wall panel structure for a building comprising a plurality ofspaced vertical supports each having two vertical lengthwise opposededge receiving grooves; means for securing each of said verticalsupports to a building framework in voutboard relation therewith; aplurality of normally flat facing sheets each engaged along opposedvertical sides thereof in adjacent grooves of adjacent ones of saidvertical supports and being bowed inwardly between its said opposedvertical sides; a plurality of clip members secured at spaced locationsalong the length of each of said vertical supports; each of said clipmembers having flange members, one positioned adjacent to each of saidgrooves and extending laterally therefrom; each of said flange membersbeing positioned for substantially immediate engagement by a verticalside of one of said facing sheets during outward movement of saidvertical side relative to said vertical support, whereby said verticalsides are restrained from excessive outward movement; each of saidflange members having an outwardly extending terminal portion formedinte-` grally therewith; a plurality of trim caps substantiallycoextensive in length with said vertical support and disposed incovering relation therewith; each of said-trim caps being snapped oversaid terminal portions and being supported solely by means of saidterminal portions; each of said trim caps having lateral surfacesresiliently urged toward the adjacent vertical sides of adjacent ones ofsaid facing sheets along substantially the entire length of saidadjacent vertical sides.

4. The panel structure of claim 3 including a strip of sealant materialinterposed between each of said lateral surfaces of said trim caps andthe vertical sides of said facing sheets.

`5. The panel structure of claim 3 wherein each of said terminalportions includes an outwardly projecting bead over which said trim capis snapped.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,173,523 3/1965 Mote 52-2223,199,258 3/l95 lentoi't et al 52--222 FOREIGN PATENTS 152,623 7/1953Australia.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

JAMES L. RIDGILL, Examiner.

